Results 45,761-45,780 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the lack of mobile telephone coverage in an area (details supplied); the impact this has on the local community; the steps he will take to compel private mobile telephone operators to significantly improve mobile telephone coverage in the area; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — General Medical Services Scheme: General Medical Services Scheme (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 239: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing medical card holders in obtaining prescribed mental health medications (details supplied); his plans to introduce measures to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2864/12]

Written Answers — Medicinal Products: Medicinal Products (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 240: To ask the Minister for Health if he is engaged in negotiations to reduce the cost of medications here; his views that such a measure will produce savings for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/12]

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this important debate. The work of guidance counsellors in our schools is beyond reproach. Every student reacts to the pressures and stresses of the school environment in very different ways. I have spoken previously in the House on the importance of providing students with the support they need to deal with the challenges. Deputy Flanagan should...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: -----but by structuring the change in this way, school management authorities will have the freedom to manage their own guidance provision and balance the guidance needs of their students with the desire for a broad range of subject choices. I have confidence that school principals will run their schools in the best interest of their students, which I welcome, and we must------

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: -----give them the flexibility to do so. This is in line with the commitments in the programme for Government to end the one-size-fits-all approach to education and to give greater autonomy to those who know a school best, the principal and board of management.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: The recent budget also provided for the filling of 300 additional principal posts.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I met many principals throughout my constituency, as I am sure has every public representative, and noted they have really struggled to run their schools in recent years due to the vacant assistant principal posts. This measure will assist schools in filling management positions which also have a guidance role, including year heads. Year heads are often a natural point of support for students.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I welcome the Minister's engagement with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. I would hate to see a school lose its entire guidance provision. The support provided to students by guidance teachers in providing advice, support and information on third level options and a range of wider supports concerning the well-being of the student is invaluable. Schools have a statutory obligation to...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I do not have the luxury to enjoy the limelight of the stage that Deputy O'Dea likes to-----

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's party had its chance. It had 14 years and made its decisions and we are left with its mess.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Unless some Members of the Opposition want to go down the road of Greece, Latvia and Northern Ireland, which face school closures, this Government will take a responsible step forward.

Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No.3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: I welcome the publication and introduction of this important legislation. It continues the Government's agenda of both helping job retention and establishing the foundations for economic recovery while supporting the most vulnerable workers in our society. It follows on from the restoration of the minimum wage, clearly aimed at assisting lower paid workers, and the jobs initiative, aimed at...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 131: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money the Revenue Commissioners aim to recoup to the Exchequer from the cross-sharing of information between the Departments of Finance and Social Protection which resulted in 150,000 pensioners receiving letters from the Revenue Commissioners last week stating that they were not tax compliant; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 132: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of additional staff that have been assigned to the telephone helpline established by the Revenue Commissioners and Department of Finance to deal with the concerns of the 150,000 pensioners who recently received letters from the Revenue Commissioners stating that they were not tax compliant; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 133: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of calls that have been received by the telephone helpline established by the Revenue Commissioners and Department of Finance to deal with the concerns of the 150,000 pensioners who recently received a letter from the Revenue Commissioners stating that they were not tax compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2018/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 237: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the projected savings that will be made by the budget 2012 decision to assess carer's allowance as income for the purposes of the family income supplement; the number of families that will be affected by this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2063/12]

Ministerial Staff (17 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Deputy Adams has three different standards.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance the criteria upon which a primary medical certificate may be awarded, and in specific, if there is any mechanism under which chronic illnesses, which relapse and remit, may be recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1653/12]

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (12 Jan 2012)

Simon Harris: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the exclusion of persons in receipt of the disability allowance from labour activation and further education programmes such as Springboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/12]